Inspecting green-growing vines for vine mealybug

Vine mealy bug (VMB: Planococcus ficus) has been found in recent nursery shipments of green-growing vines to the North Coast. A very aggressive pest of grapevines, VMB can be costly ($200-500/acre) and difficult to control. When receiving a shipment inspect 2-4 vines in every flat. To inspect a vine first peel away the wax from the graft union. Strip the outer layer of bark, and search for signs of VMB. Look for white, waxy residue or the mealybug itself. Keep in mind that VMB is cryptic and the nymph stages quite small. VMB can be very hard to spot. These photos were taken using a macro lens. Can you see all of them? To the naked eye VMB will appear something like this...Beware! VMB can be confused with fungal growth. Additionally, check basal leaves along the veins for VMB nymphs. If you suspect you have VMB on a shipment or would like a 2nd opinion, contact your local Agricultural Commissioner or UC Cooperative Extension Advisor. All videos and photos by UC Cooperative Extension, Napa & UC IPM Program, Sonoma.